Boston Penny Savings Bank Condos

March 17, 2007 By

If you’re looking to sleep on a bed of money, then the Penny Savings Bank Condos (Penny Place Condominiums) in Boston’s South End may hit the spot.

Back in March 2005, the Boston Redevelopment Authority gave the go-ahead to redevelop Boston’s Penny Savings Bank in the South End into 23 condominiums, 9,000 square feet of retail space, and a 25car underground garage.

Construction on the Penny Savings Bank complex is nearing completion for the expected May 2007 completion, and Washington Street in the South End is continuing to see positive redevelopment in an area that needs it.

For more information on the this Boston condo development you can navigate to our details page: Boston Penny Savings Bank Condos.

Filed Under: South End Condos Tagged With: ,

Meads of Commonwealth Condos

March 16, 2007 By

Given that Boston has more millionaires than New York, a developer saw that fact and has built The Meads of Commonwealth Condos, residences that cater to the most demanding buyer.

All 13 of the Meads of Commonwealth Condos are unique in shape and size, but elite craftsmanship and fine finishings were not spared. The Penthouse is truly one of a kind, and the Meads will serve to not only provide an exquisite home to buyers who can afford to purchase a residence, but also to better Boston’s Back Bay as a whole.

The Meads are currently available for purchase and start at $1.8 million for a 7 room, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath Brownstone.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: , ,

Boston Penmark Condos

March 12, 2007 By

Recently, the South of Washington (SOWA) area of the South End has seen two new condo developments hit the market, ArtBlock Harrison, and the Boston Penmark Condos. Both are pushing the edge in an area of town that needs revitalization.

The Penmark Condos offer one and two bedroom floor plans, with high-end finishes, as well as a garage parking space with each unit. Most of the windows in the building are towering, and provide good views of the city.

Visit Boston Condo Guy to see more pictures of the Boston Penmark Condos, as well as many other new developments across the city – you can search using unique Google Maps technology too!  For an up to date listing of available condos for sale at the Penmark, and/or to setup a private showing, please contact us using the link at the top of this page.

Filed Under: South End Condos Tagged With: , ,

10 Simple Steps to Selling Your Home for Top Dollar

March 2, 2007 By

1. Define your goals, wants, needs and expectations. A good place to begin is by exploring your short and long term goals in life and how selling you home fits in.

2. Determine the best price for what is going on in the market right now. Assess the current state of the market and what comparable homes are actually selling for by reviewing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on your home.

3. Prepare you property so that it is in top-selling condition. Most of us do not keep our homes in top-selling condition. Try and see things from a buyer’s point of view. Boston Condo Guy can consult with you on what to repair, replace or remove so that your home makes a great first impression.

4. Implement time-proven, researched-based marketing strategies. Your home must be marketed with a plan that has the highest potential for bringing not only the most buyers, but also the most qualified buyers to your doorstep.

5. Showing your property. Always keep your home in top-selling condition. When you leave for work, make sure that your home remains in top-selling condition. You know what they say about first impressions.

6. Receive an offer. When a buyer decides to buy your home, an offer will be presented. Your realtor can advise you on the offer and whether the buyer is qualified to purchase your home.

7. Negotiate to sell. Most offers require some level of negotiation. Work with your realtor to decide your parameters and have them negotiate on your behalf.

8. Have your home appraised and inspected. We have written previous articles on the idea of getting a home inspection before you sell – it’s a wise thing to consider when selling your home.

9. Prepare for closing. Work with your realtor to understand the home selling process.

10. Close! At the closing meeting, ownership of your property is legally transferred to the buyer. Work with your realtor and any appropriate parties (title company, attorney) to understand the process.

Filed Under: Seller Advice

Search for Boston Condo Developments

March 1, 2007 By

If you have been looking for an intuitive way to search new Boston Condominium Developments, Boston Condo Guy provides users with a Google Maps based solution that is easy on the eye, and easy to use.

Boston Condo Guy offers listings of the most recent condo developments in Boston proper, with general listing information, as well as photos and floor plans. Your search for Boston Condo Developments just got easier!

Filed Under: Buyer Advice

Daily Boston Property Updates via Email

February 27, 2007 By

A great way to keep up with the changes in the Boston real estate market is to receive daily property updates in your email directly from the Boston MLS system. This gives you the ability to keep up with what is happening with homes that are of interest to you (based on price, square footage, amenities, etc.), and if it is free, you cannot top that! Free Boston property updates via email are a convenient feature provided by Boston Condo Guy to help you keep your finger on the pulse of the Boston condo market.

Filed Under: Buyer Advice Tagged With:

10 Questions to Ask a Condo Board

February 26, 2007 By

Before you buy a condo, contact the condominium’s board with the following questions. By getting these questions answered, you will find out a lot about your potential neighbors, and the building that you are buying into – a valuable step in preparing to buy a Boston condo.

1. What percentage of units is owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the more marketable the units will be at resale.

2. What covenants, bylaws, and restrictions govern the property? What grandfather clauses are in place? You may find, for instance, that those who buy a property after a certain date cannot rent out their units, but buyers who bought earlier can. Ask for a copy of the bylaws to determine if you can live within them. And have your real estate attorney review property docs, including the master deed, for you.

3. How much does the association keep in reserve? How is that money being invested?

4. Are association assessments keeping pace with the annual rate of inflation? Smart boards raise, as appropriate, assessments a certain percentage each year to build reserves to fund future repairs. To determine if the assessment is reasonable, compare the rate to others in the area.

5. What does (and does not) the monthly Homeowner’s Association (HOA) fee cover? Typical items that one finds included in their HOA fee include, but are not limited to, common area maintenance, trash collection, master insurance, exterior landscaping, snow removal, recreational facilities, water, and sewer. Depending on what type of development you live in, such things as valet parking, concierge, a pool, and security, could increase your HOA fee.

6. What special assessments have been mandated in the past five years? How much was each owner responsible for? Some special assessments are unavoidable. But repeated, expensive assessments could be a red flag about the condition of the building or the board’s fiscal policy.

7. How much turnover occurs in the building?

8. Is the project in litigation? If the builders or homeowners are involved in a lawsuit, reserves can be depleted quickly.

9. Is the developer reputable? Find out what other projects the developer has built and visit one if you can. Ask residents about their perceptions. Request an engineer’s report for developments that have been reconverted from other uses to determine what shape the building is in. If the roof, windows, and bricks are not in good repair, they become your problem once you buy.

10. Are multiple associations involved in the property? In very large developments, umbrella associations, as well as the smaller association into which you are buying, may require separate assessments.

Filed Under: Buyer Advice

Can Words Sell Your Home?

February 25, 2007 By

In this flush-with-inventory market, Realtors need to be on their toes with the language they use in trying to sell your home. Has your Realtor been doing you justice when pitching your home to prospective buyers?

Recent academic studies scrutinized the wording on 20,000 home listings only to produce some interesting results – perhaps some obvious facts on one end, but good advice on the other.

Homes described as “beautiful” moved 15 percent faster and for 5 percent more in price than the benchmark. “Good-value” homes sold for 5 percent less than average.

To Sell your Home…

Use These Words:

  • Handyman special
  • Curb appeal
  • Move-in condition
  • Landscaping
  • Granite
  • Gourmet
  • Golf

Don’t Use These Words:

  • Motivated seller
  • Good value
  • As-is
  • Clean
  • Quiet
  • New paint

Listings where “landscaping” was heralded sold 20 percent faster, and homes in “move-in condition” took 12 percent less time to sell than the benchmark, although the study showed that “move-in condition” had an insignificant effect on the sales price.

Homes with “motivated” sellers stayed on the market 15 percent longer than average and sold for 4 percent less. Perhaps meaning that the home was overpriced to start with and eventually price reductions had to occur, thus, increases in length of time on the market and lower sales prices.

Filed Under: Seller Advice

Free Boston MLS Access

February 24, 2007 By

Have you been searching the Internet for a decent website to gain access to the Boston Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? You probably have been searching the Internet like I once did for a website that will provide you quick and easy access. Unfortunately, there are a lot of websites out there that provide you fast, easy, and free access.

Well, the search is over, we are bringing you Free Boston MLS Access – no gimmicks, forms, or cheesy signups. Get fast and easy access, get the information you want and need, and inquire for further information or a showing at your discretion. We also can provide you with free Boston property updates via email that match your buying criteria – f there are updates to Boston condos that meet your criteria, we’ll send an email to you.

All you want to do is look for properties, and not be bothered with giving away all your personal information unless you find something that you like, now you can do that with free Boston MLS access and free Boston property updates via email.

Filed Under: Boston Condos Tagged With:

Mortgage Rates Are Falling

February 23, 2007 By

Mortgage rates have fallen on news of the housing market slowdown – 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined to 6.22 percent from 6.30 percent, which is on par with rates a year ago.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Mortgage rates fell in the past week as lenders showed concern for the effect the slowing housing market would have on the economy, according to a survey released Thursday.

Filed Under: Mortgage Information
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